Lincoln officials give safety warning after lithium batteries cause truck fire

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – While we all know the heat is dangerous if we’re out in it too long, you might not realize how risky it is for the batteries powering your devices.

Lincoln Fire & Rescue is getting the word out after responding to a pickup truck fire earlier this week.

After an investigation, officials believe lithium batteries caused the fire.

They say a battery-powered rangefinder was stashed in a golf bag in the bed of the pickup, which was sitting in the sun for several hours.

Inspector Brad Hasenjeager suspects that heat continued to build up inside the bag, and eventually, the batteries ignited.

LFR spokeswoman MJ Lierman said devices powered by lithium batteries are more likely to ignite, especially if they’re old or damaged.

“The lithium batteries are particularly the ones we’re concerned about,” she said. “It is a problem that’s becoming more and more aware as the batteries get older, and people are not keeping up with the maintenance. If they get damaged, they’re really more likely to have problems.”

Hasenjeager said battery fires can be especially dangerous because they’re technically chemical fires.

He said they’re harder to put out and can burn at over 3,000 degrees, which can ignite items that wouldn’t normally burn.

Earlier this year, Forbes reported that these batteries are overheating on aircraft nearly every single week.

In many cases, they’re in personal devices like phones, laptops and vape pens.

The FAA said the batteries can catch fire if they’re damaged or they short-circuit.

It wants to remind the public to make sure your devices are turned off and protected from accidental activation before packing them in any luggage.

Lierman said that in this week’s case, the rangefinder batteries could have been damaged when the golf bag was the tossed in the truck or as the pickup drove down the road.

She also noted that some electronics like cellphones are programmed to shut off if they overheat, but other devices won’t.

To avoid a battery fire, she said to check the batteries in your devices regularly to make sure they’re up to date and not damaged.

“You want to keep your lithium batteries out of direct sunlight,” she said. “Keep them out of the heat in a cool spot. Do not charge them under a pillow or blanket or things like that, anything that can produce heat. They may ignite.”

Hasenjeager also recommend buying American-made batteries and devices because they’re held to a higher standard.